Avoid Christmas present panic with JHM’s last-minute gift guide

Jim Hill

14 years ago

Yesterday, Jeff posted a not-so-Holly-Jolly comment in response to Monday's "On Stranger Tides" article.

If i had a dollar for everytime Jim promised to do a story or complete a series of stories I would be one rich guy.

Okay, fine. So I'm the prince of procrastination. To be fair, this time of year, I have lots & lots of company. People who – for one reason or another – put off their Christmas shopping 'til the very minute and then don't have a clue about what to get their friends & family members.

Well, we here at JHM are here to help. Particularly if you've got a Disneyana fan, animation enthusiast and/or film buff on your holiday shopping list. So if you want some suggestions before you make that last-minute dash for the mall, check out all of the items listed below.

If you're looking for a one-two punch that will really impress someone who loved Walt Disney Animation Studios' latest production, may I suggest purchasing a copy of the "Tangled" soundtrack …

… and then pairing this CD with Jeff Kurtti's terrific new Art of book, "The Art of Tangled" (Chronicle Books, November 2010). This 160-page hardcover is just loaded with hundreds of dazzling character sketches & concept paintings. Paging through "The Art of Tangled" will give you a renewed appreciation of all the effort and artistry that got poured into this tremendously impressive WDAS production.

If – on the other hand – you're shopping for a "TRON" fan, bundling a copy of the "Tron Legacy" soundtrack …

… with Justin Springer's "The Art of TRON: Legacy" (Disney Editions, November 2010) is a very smart way to go. That way, the gift recipient can revisit the very best aspects of this Joseph Kosinski film. Mainly Daft Punk's wonderful music as well as "TRON: Legacy" 's amazing production design.

Speaking of Art of books, if you're shopping for a DreamWorks Animation fan, Jerry Schmitz's "The Art of Shrek Forever After" (Insight Editions, May 2010) …

… and Richard von Busack's "The Art of Megamind " (Insight Editions, October 2010) …

… are sure to impress.

Though if you're looking to really impress the animation fan in your family, you just can't go wrong with getting them a copy of "Design" (Disney Editions, November 2010) [which -FYI — is the latest book in the Walt Disney Animation Studios – The Archive Series] …

… and/or Tim Hauser's absolutely stellar "The Pixar Treasures" (Disney Editions, September 2010).

What's that you say? The person that you're shopping for isn't a Disneyana fan or an animation enthusiast? But – rather – a Wizard wannabe? Then Brian Sibley's "Harry Potter Film Wizardry" (Collins Design, October 2010) …

… and/or "Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book: Based on the Film Phenomenon" (Insight Editions, November 2010) is sure to make a Muggle merry.

If you're looking for something entertaining, informative AND affordable, Kevin Yee's "Walt Disney World Hidden History: Remnants of Former Attractions and Other Tributes" (Ultimate Orlando Press, November 2010) …

… and/or Jim Korkis' "The Vault of Walt: Unofficial, Unauthorized, Uncensored Disney Stories Never Told" (Ayefour Publishing, September 2010) …

… are both very smart choices.

If – on the other hand – money is no object, "The Art of Tim Burton" (Steeles Publishing, 2009) …

… and/or Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box (Warner Bros., February 2011) …

… will make most any film fan smile.

If – on the other hand – you're pretty precautious about how you spend your cash and don't want your entertainment dollar to ever go to waste, have you heard about this new "Worry-Free Winter" ticket exchange program that Disney Theatrical Productions will be running for Broadway's "The Lion King" and "Mary Poppins."

The way this revolutionary ticket exchange program works is that – if you purchase tickets for any performances of these two shows from January 3 through March 10, 2011 and then can't make it in to NYC to see "Mary Poppins" or "The Lion King" due to a winter storm or a family emergency or just because you wanna … Not a problem.

Obviously, there are some conditions that apply to Disney Theatrical Productions' new "Worry-Free Winter 2011" program. Which you can learn about by clicking here. But given how horrible winter weather can unexpectedly impact your travel plans (Just ask all of those poor people who are currently stranded at Heathrow & Charles de Gaulle airports), this is the sort of great gift insurance that money just can't buy (Okay, okay. So you still need money in order to be able to buy those tickets to "Mary Poppins" and "The Lion King." Let's not financial realities stand in the way of celebrating this admittedly innovative ticket exchange program).

But if you're honestly looking for that can't-miss-absolutely-guaranteed-to-thrill-any-Disneyana-fan-on-your-holiday-shopping-list gift, there's really only one way to go here. And that's to get them a membership in D23, the Official Disney Fan Club.

I mean, have you seen what these guys have planned for 2011? Do you really want to miss out on May's Destination D: Walt Disney World Resort 40^th Anniversary Celebration event? Or – better yet – August's D23 Expo?

Speaking of which … That's another reason that – if you're not already a member of the Official Disney Fan Club – you should probably spring for a D23 membership ASAP. You see, that early bird ticket pricing for the next D23 Expo (which could save you beaucoup bucks on general admission to this three day-long event) ends on December 31^st. So if you're looking to save a few shekels (which you'll then undoubtedly spend at the Disney Dream Store, which will be located right there on the show floor at the Anaheim Convention Center), you've only got 8 days left to purchase a D23 membership for yourself or that special friend on your holiday shopping list.

Speaking of which: You do realize that there are only two shopping days left 'til Christmas, right? So what are you doing still sitting in front of that computer? Print the above list out ASAP and then get your procrastinating butt out to the mall.

FYI: If you're looking to get something special for your favorite webmaster …

… nothing says "Thanks for all the great stories this year" like a super-cool flying pig.

Anyway … That's JHM last-minute holiday gift guide. Do you folks have any additional suggestions when it comes to that perfect, panic-free Christmas present for the Disneyana fan, animation enthusiast and/or film buff on your holiday shopping list?

Your thoughts?

If you're still looking for that perfect gift for Grandma, Aunt Pat or Uncle Earle please
click on the banner below. If you do that … well, JimHillMedia.com then gets a teeny,
tiny chunk of whatever you spend at Amazon.com

Thanks and Happy Holidays!